D&W Music News July 18

In a story from The Sun… Mick Jagger is expecting baby number eight at the ripe old age of 72. That doesn’t mean he’s ready to settle down with his ballerina baby mama Melanie Hamrick, though. “Melanie is very American and doesn’t want to move to London, even though they’ve been seeing each other regularly over a long period of time now,” a source tells The Sun of the couple, who’ve been dating since 2014. “Mick likes the arrangement they have and doesn’t want to be in another formal relationship. But the most important thing is how much he loves his children and he has great relations with them. He will support and love this child. The source adds that 29-year-old Hammick is expected to end her ballet career and move either to Los Angeles or home to Connecticut to be near her family.

For the second time, Bono has had a brush with death in France. As you might recall, he and his U2 bandmates were Paris at the time of the November 13th ISIS attack. As it turns out, Bono was also dining in Nice on Bastille Day. According to the New York Daily News, Bono was eating at the upscale La Petite Maison restaurant when a man killed 84 people by driving a 20-ton truck through a crowd of people watching a fireworks display. Both Bono and celebrity chef Alain Ducasse both took shelter in the restaurant as people fled from the promenade. As is often the case in times of panic, there were what turned out to be false rumors that there was a hostage situation that night, and the rocker is said to have left Le Petite Maison with his hands on his head.

Bono hasn’t commented about that night, but the band’s official Twitter and Instagram accounts posted a picture of The Edge standing in front of a “Coexist” statue with the caption “Love is bigger than anything in its way.”

Vince Neilis being charged with battery after allegedly attacking a woman asking for an autograph. Now, Neil might also have to pay up to his reported victim. Kelly Guerrero wants $150,000 from the Motley Crue frontman for what she claims was a completely unprovoked attack. In her suit, she explains that she was walking down the Las Vegas strip with her son when she recognized Nicolas Cage, who was hanging with Neil and comedian Carrot Top. Guerrreo then claims Cage put Neil in a playful headlock and when Neil got free, he attacked her. She was left with neck pain, low back pain, a hip injury and a fractured tailbone. Ge the full story from TMZ.

One lucky – and rich – Eric Clapton fan may soon be able to get their hands on one of his prize guitars. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is auctioning off the 2014 Fender Stratocaster he played during his 70th birthday celebration, with all proceeds going to a good cause. The guitar, signed by Clapton, is expected to sell for more than $20,000, with proceeds going to Leukemia research. The money was initially supposed to help the wife of Asleep at the Wheel’s Johnny Nicholas, but sadly she recently lost her life to the disease. If you’re interested in the Strat, bids are being accepted now at Heritage Auctions, with the live auction set for July 23rd.

A letter Paul McCartney once wrote to Prince recently sold at auction for quite a pretty penny. The undated letter, featuring the salutation “Dear Princely person,” sold for $14,822 at Boston’s RR Auction. In the note, Paul asks Prince to for a donation to help establish the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, and even requests that he stop by in the future to “teach [students] some moves!!” Paul adds, “Who knows, it may turn out to be something special for thousands of future kids.”

ONE MORE THING! In case you missed it, there was a Beatles reunion last week in Las Vegas. Paul, Ringo Starr and John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono turned up to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of “The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil” in Las Vegas.

Guns N’ Roses had an eventful trip into Canada. While going over the border, a gun was discovered in the band’s bus and the guys were detained. GNR told the sold out crowd in Toronto about their run in with the customs officials. “They were very nice. They were very nice,” Axl Rose remembers. “They were very understanding. You know, it happens — you can forget you had a f—in’ gun.” The frontman then added, “Wasn’t my gun.” A rep for the band confirms the story and adds that the weapon didn’t belong to anyone in the band. Check out fan shot footage of Axl’s very not safe for work story.

Ozzy Osbourne is team Led Zeppelin. Zeppelin won their copyright infringement case against the a man representing the group Spirit, who alleged Zeppelin ripped from their song “Taurus” to write “Stairway to Heaven.” Now, Osbourne is speaking about the “crazy” lawsuit. “It’s f**king crazy, actually,” the Black Sabbath singer says. “That should have never gone to court. I heard the original thing, and there’s just a slight similarity. It’s like saying any f**king song with that kind of a guitar on it is a rip-off. It’s not fair. There’s only so many f**king notes on a guitar, and it wasn’t that much like ‘Stairway to Heaven.’ I’m amazed it lasted so f**king long, you know?” He wasn’t done with his profanity filled tirade against the trial. “That group is f**king phenomenal. What do they need a f**king songwriter for? Why would they rip anybody off?” Ozzy asks. “It’s just a waste of f**king time. I’m really surprised it went to court.”

Willie Nelsonjoined Neil Young on stage in Rome, which turned into a sort of family reunion. Neil is currently being backed by the band Promises of the Real, which is made up of Willie’s two sons Lukas and Micah. “It’s family time here tonight, we’re gonna have the whole family come out,” Neil told the crowd before introducing Willie. “What do you say, pop?” Willie did indeed join the band. They teamed on the track, “Are There any More Real Cowboys?,” as well as Willie’s classic, “On The Road Again.” “Dad joined us tonight in Rome,” Lukas later shared, alongside an Instagram photo of Willie and Neil. “To be able to support my two heroes together on stage with my brothers is a joy that is indescribable.” Check out video of the performance.

Alan Vega, of the electronic punk duo Suicide, passed away in his sleep Saturday at the age of 78. “With profound sadness and a stillness that only news like this can bring, we regret to inform you that the great artist and creative force, Alan Vega has passed away,” read a statement from Vega’s family, which was posted on Henry Rollins’ website.“Alan Vega was the quintessential artist on every imaginable level. His entire life was devoted to outputting what his vision commanded of him…Alan’s life is a lesson of what it is to truly live for art.” Vega, born Boruch Alan Bermowitz, formed Suicide with Martin Rev in 1970 and they released their acclaimed self-titled debut in 1976. They are probably best known for such songs as “Ghost Rider,” “Cheree,” “Che” and “Frankie Teardrop” and their 1979 single “Dream Baby Dream” was covered by Bruce Springsteen for his 2014 album “High Hopes,” and was also covered by artists like Savages and Neneh Cherry. The duo continued to play regularly and was due to perform at California’s Desert Daze Festival in October alongside such acts as Television and Primus.